Bookshelf speakers

[bobbyc]

I got into this forum because I can't find any unbiased ratings on what I am looking for. I want to purchase a surround system with bookshelf speakers and a new receiver. I have been looking at the B&W 685 Theatre and some of the lower end Paradigm bookshelfs. I don't know where to start with a reciever. I want to spend around a thousand for the speaker. Is there anybody out there who can advise me? Thanks.

 

[markw]

For that $1000, how many speakers did you intend to purchase? A pair, a pair and a subwoofer, five, five and a subwoofer?

The reason I ask is because the price you mention might cover a pair of them and a receiver, that's about it.

 

[bobbyc]

I want to spend around two thousand for the five speakers and the sub and an additional thousand for the reciever. I know I will not get too much for this but it's a start at this point.

 

[markw]

You have some flexibility here.

For two grand you can get some decent stuff. You shoud be able to get a pretty decent Hsu or SVS sub and five prety good speakers. I'm not famiiar with those B&W's but you might even be able to get a deal on them, or ones similar to them.

You can take a bit from that $1000 you hav earmerked for a receiver and throw it towards speakers. They have more impact on the overall sound quality, within imits, of course.

Basically, go out and listen to speakers. Your choice there will determine how much "amp" you need.

 

[bobbyc]

What's the difference between an Hsu and an SVS Sub? Is one better than the other. Thanks for the info. I'll continue to listen to speakers. Any recommendations on a brand for a receiver? There's not too many quality places left to listen to good sounds but I'll shop around.

 

[Adam]

There are plenty of people that are happy with their Hsu subs, and the same can be said for SVS. I have an SVS and love it - great product, and great customer service. I don't think that you could go wrong with either company. There are lots of good subs out there, too.

What features are you looking to get in the receiver? HDMI? Decoding of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-MA? More than one zone? In the $1000 and under range, there are a number of good products out there, and it really comes down to what features you want.

Totally off-topic, but everytime I look at your screen name, I think of "Uncle Bobby B, baby...Uncle Bobby B."

 

[lsiberian]

I want to spend around two thousand for the five speakers and the sub and an additional thousand for the reciever. I know I will not get too much for this but it's a start at this point.

lol that' so un true.

I usually suggest half to the subs and half to the speakers.

But I want to suggest a receiver that I think is steal at your budget range.

The Onkyo 805.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR805/Onkyo/TX-SR805-THX-Ultra2-130w-x-7ch-HDMI-805-Receiver/1.html

It's 600, but retailed for far more. It has ample power and a very good auddysey system.

If you go that route you will have 2400 for speakers.

For that I suggest iQ5s an iQ6 for the front sound stage. Then depending on your size desires for the surrounds.

SVS makes good subs. Or you can do it yourself for a very sick sub

 

[sholling]

It would really help to know the size of the room. That's because a sub needs to have enough goods to fill the room. I'd look at Hsu's site for some ideas about sizing. Having never listened to a Hsu I can only go by reputation and it's a very good one. I have heard SVS because I own one and I'm more than pleased.

For the receiver I'd look at either last years Onkyo 805 (Amazon still has a silver one) or this years 876. This have plenty of goods to deliver with most speakers and plenty of features. I think it's worth the extra money for the TX-SR876 but some may disagree.

At your price point you need to get out and do side by side comparison listening. There are plenty of very good speakers that will meet your budget requirements but speaker selection is subjective and your taste may not match mine. I would just be sure to buy from someone that will let you return them if they don't sound right in your home.

 

[dronezero]

I was in a similar position a year ago. I was auditioning bookshelves in the $1000 range. I was able to A/B the B&W 685 and B&W CM1, and I personally preferred the CM1. So if you haven't had a chance to listen to the CM1 they would be worth a listen.

I ultimately ended up going with era Design 5s, though. They were more neutral than the CM1s.

The Paradigm Studio 20s are worth a listen as well. I haven't heard the new ones, but the older ones (v4 I think) were up near the top of the speakers I heard. I would place them above the 685s but just slightly below the CM1s. It is a bit difficult though as I heard the paradigms in a different room from the others.

 

[lsiberian]

It would really help to know the size of the room. That's because a sub needs to have enough goods to fill the room. I'd look at Hsu's site for some ideas about sizing. Having never listened to a Hsu I can only go by reputation and it's a very good one. I have heard SVS because I own one and I'm more than pleased.

For the receiver I'd look at either last years Onkyo 805 (Amazon still has a silver one) or this years 876. This have plenty of goods to deliver with most speakers and plenty of features. I think it's worth the extra money for the TX-SR876 but some may disagree.

At your price point you need to get out and do side by side comparison listening. There are plenty of very good speakers that will meet your budget requirements but speaker selection is subjective and your taste may not match mine. I would just be sure to buy from someone that will let you return them if they don't sound right in your home.

In his budget he can even get a 905 from a4less.